Reader Remarks on:

Surgical Masks or N95 Respirators for the Flu?

Surgical masks vs N95
Masks for flu protection

Surgical masks vs N95

Marysia Meylan, self employed Epidemiologist, 21 Oct 2009 9:12 PM EST

Competing interests: None declared

Medscape reported another study on the same subject recently: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/709003?sssdmh=dm1.530110&src=nldne&uac=118273EK

Masks for flu protection

Jo Deverill, 30 Oct 2009 10:18 PM EST

Competing interests: None declared

Given that it is impossible to conduct a blinded RCT of masks vs no masks, there is in my opinion no good evidence that any type of mask reduces risk of healthcare workers contracting flu in flu season. Sure, a mask can be shown to reduce formation of aerosols or droplets. But in the real world, we go to the shops, we nurse our sick children, and we cannot conduct our lives continually wearing gas masks. In flu season, we are likely to get flu, if not from work, then from outside work. The best protection we can take is immunization. Use of masks at work impedes verbal and non-verbal communication, consumes time and resources and engenders anxiety among patients and staff. In other words it isn't practical and the benefits are dubious.

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